Camouflage-wearing militants shot automatic firearms at guests during a concert near Moscow Friday night killing about 143 persons and injuring at least 145, many of them in life-threatening conditions.
It is the deadliest terror assault in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege.
The situation unfolded moments before a Soviet-era rock group “Picnic” was set to perform at the packed 6,200-seat Crocus City Hall, 20km west of the capital city.
As the audience settled into their seats, the tranquility suddenly shattered when the terrorist emerged and opened fire. Video footage of the event shows panic, screams, chaos, and desperate attempts to flee. The hall, once filled with excitement became of horrifying scene of blood, fire and carnage like a battle field.
One survivor recounted, “Suddenly there were bangs behind us—shots. A burst of firing—I do not know what was happening.”
“A stampede began. Everyone ran to the escalator,” the witness said. “Everyone was screaming; everyone was running.”
This horrific event occurred just a week after a successful Russian election in which President Vladimir Putin received a resounding victory, and it echoes of the 2004 Beslan tragedy where Islamist militants – reportedly Chechen Separatists seized 1,000 hostages, including hundreds of innocent school children and their teachers.
Putin has been informed of the situation, and the Kremlin says he is receiving updates from security chiefs, including Alexander Bortnikov, head of the Federal Security Service (FSB) about the situation.
The Russian FSB security service said Saturday it had arrested 11 people including four suspected gunmen in connection with the shooting.
It claimed “all four terrorists” had been arrested while heading to the Ukrainian border, and that they had contacts in Ukraine. It said the suspects were being transferred to Moscow.
“Now we know in which country these bloody bastards planned to hide from pursuit – Ukraine,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram.
A senior Russian lawmaker, Andrei Kartapolov then said if Ukraine was involved, Russia must deliver a “worthy, clear and concrete” reply on the battlefield.
ISIS Claimed Responsibility
Russia’s post-election celebrative mood brutally cut short, and the nation now grappling with grief as images emerged from the scene of spent bullet casings, vests laden with spare magazines, and a Kalashnikov automatic weapon—all evidence of the attackers’ deadly efficiency.
The Islamic State, now a degraded force claimed responsibility. Their Amaq Agency broadcasted the announcement via Telegram. Meanwhile, Russian media is circulating a video of one captured terrorist confessing how he was recruited for the operation.
Putin was instrumental in the defeat of the Islamic State when he militarily supported President Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war in 2015. It looked like ISIS have been waiting to take their revenge.
One American official, on conditions of anonymity claims U.S. intelligence picked up signals of imminent attack on Russia and warned their Russian colleagues.
The Crocus City Hall, once a venue for music, culture and fanfare, is now suddenly a place of sordid tragedy —a stark reminder of the fragility of life in an increasingly volatile world.
Please Like 👍, Comment, Share & Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
